Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It has often been called “the great imitator” because so many of the signs and symptoms are indistinguishable from those of other diseases.

Syphilis is passed from person to person through direct contact with a syphilis sore. Sores occur mainly on the external genitals, vagina, anus, or in the rectum. Sores also can occur on the lips and in the mouth. Transmission of the organism occurs during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Pregnant women with the disease can pass it to the babies they are carrying. Syphilis cannot be spread through contact with toilet seats, doorknobs, swimming pools, hot tubs, bathtubs, shared clothing, or eating utensils.  ...more...

Facts       

• Syphilis - CDC Fact Sheet.    (en español)
• Syphilis and Men Who Have Sex with Men - CDC Fact Sheet.    (en español)

Statistics

• STD Surveillance 2006 - Syphilis
  • Tables
  • Trends in Reportable STDs 2006 - Syphilis
• Syphilis in Your Area
• 2006 Syphilis Surveillance Project Annual Report   (23 January  2008)
• Syphilis Surveillance Project Annual Report (All Years)
• Syphilis Elimination State and Outlying Area Profiles - updated January 2008
• Recommendations for Public Health Surveillance of Syphilis in the United States   (20 May 2003)

Treatment

• CDC 2006 Treatment Guidelines
  • Special Populations - Pregnant Women
  • Diseases Characterized by Genital Ulcers
    • Syphilis
  • Congenital Syphilis
  • Management of Patients Who Have a History of Penicillin Allergy

Syphilis Elimination

• Syphilis Elimination Effort (SEE) - official site.
• National Plan to Eliminate Syphilis from the U.S. (updated May 2006)
• Syphilis Elimination Effort (SEE) Community Mobilization Toolkit  (07 March 2005)

Other Resources

• Syphilis Testing Algorithms Using Treponemal Tests for Initial Screening --- Four Laboratories, New York City, 2005--2006  MMWR August 15, 2008
• U.S. Public Health Service Syphilis Study at Tuskegee (9 August 2007)
• Symptomatic Early Neurosyphilis Among HIV-Positive Men Who Have Sex with Men --- Four Cities, United States, January 2002--June 2004 - MMWR June 29, 2007
• Primary and Secondary Syphilis --- United States, 2003--2004 - MMWR March 17, 2006
• Instructions for Congenital Syphilis Case Investigation and Reporting Form - Revised 10/2003

Archive

• STD Surveillance 2005 - Syphilis
  • Trends in Reportable STDs 2005 - Syphilis
• 2005 Syphilis Surveillance Project Annual Report   (23 February  2007)

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